[Tfug] ubuntu (troll?)

[Glen Pfeiffer]

On 04/15/2008 02:55 PM, Jim Secan wrote:
>> On 04/15/2008 11:23 AM, sitkaa at email.arizona.edu wrote:
>>> I subscribed to TFUG to (yet again) try to learn more about 
>>> linux.
>>>
>> Have you installed Linux? 
>>
[snip]
> Since this fellow took himself off the line I'll put up some 
> defense for his cause.  I doubt that he "knows" Windows to the 
> level you posit, but his point is that he doesn't think he 
> should have to know Windows or Linux or JCL (God forbid) or 
> whatever any more than is needed to get his job done.
>
I recognize that many people want to use their computers as 
appliances. For those individuals I recommend that they do not 
install any operating system. Instead, they should consider 
purchasing a machine with an OS pre-installed.

Installing and configuring operating systems is not always easy, 
even with windows. And I do not like it when someone criticizes 
Linux because it is hard to install, and then says that Windows 
is better, because I know that most of them have never installed 
and if they have it was only with a manufacturer provided media. 
I believe the ease of install for Ubuntu and Debian is an amazing 
feat. But that doesn't mean that an "appliance user" should be 
installing it.

Also, it is erroneous to say that Linux is hard to *use* just 
because it can be hard to install/configure. There is a very 
large difference between using, and installing/configuring. Don't 
have the money to buy it pre-installed, ask on the list for help 
installing. Might even spark an install fest.

I responded the way I did because of the following things:
1. His post wreaked of sensationalism.
2. He is subscribed to TFUG. Therefore, I have no reason to 
   believe he wants to use his computer as an appliance. This is 
   a free Unix enthusiast group.
3. He said he subscribed to *learn* Linux yet again.
4. He's been posting for a while, and seems to know about some 
   things that I would not expect a computer appliance user to 
   know. http://www.google.com/search?q=sitkaa%20site%3Atfug.org


-- 
Glen